JP LeBlanc’s new album “All
In My Blood” on the Acadian Connection label was produced by
Grammy-winning Colin Linden, will be released nationally this summer.
The
nine-song album, recorded in two sessions at a fairly fast clip in 2024
with A-list players at Linden’s 1,000 square-foot, standalone home
studio Recorders Studios in Nashville, is the result of two years of
intense woodshedding, and long-distance songwriting with Toronto-based
music industry journalist Larry LeBlanc.
“Louisiana
Checkbook,” the album’s lead-off English track, and “NOLA,” the
lead-off French track, are set to be serviced to international streaming
services on April 25, 2025.
For
the first session in April, backup was provided by
multi-instrumentalist George Recile, one of New Orleans’ premier
drummers, and Canadian bassist John Dymond. Colin himself played on all
the tracks.
While the
original musicians weren’t available for the second Nashville session
the following December, Linden matched the quality of the earlier
session by bringing in some equally heavy hitters, drummer Bryan Owings
and bass player/educator/producer David Santos. Again, Linden played
guitar on all tracks.
It
was Larry who recruited his friend, Cajun music legend Steve Riley from
the Mamou Playboys, to play accordion on four tracks, and doubling
fiddle on one of the tracks.
"Working
with Colin, and these incredible musicians felt like the culmination of
everything I’ve worked for," JP says. “I just let Colin do his job. He
most certainly raised the bar for me. I came to realize what my musical
vision really is.”
“All
In My Blood” is shaped by years of push-and-pull between JP’s life on
the road touring Canada, Louisiana, and Europe, and his role as a family
man and father growing up in a tight-knit bilingual community in
Atlantic Canada.
JP
was born and raised in Bathurst, New Brunswick, a francophone speck of a
place in New Brunswick, a region rich in Acadian culture. At 17, he
recorded his first album, “Take Me Back,” which earned him an East Coast
Music Award nomination.
A
pivotal moment in his career came in early 2024 when he represented
Atlantic Canada at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis,
standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the world's top blues
talents.
For the
album JP picked songs that went together. He wanted the recording to
flow from beginning to end but—true to character--with some twists and
turns.
“The
French verses felt natural to me when telling stories from home. I live
in a bilingual community in northern New Brunswick, so mixing French
and English is just part of how we talk.
“Every
song on the album tells a story that connects to both of us in some
way—stories about our children, our travels, and our shared Acadian
backgrounds.
“We
pushed each other hard to write the best songs possible. There was
certainly no apparent ego evident in our songwriting process or in the
recording. Whatever was best for the song was what we went with.”
“When
I first heard JP’s demos, I thought there was an honesty I was drawn
to,” says Linden. “I also heard a very unique take on his influences and
culture that was very compelling.
“JP
had such a positive attitude,” continues Linden. “It was a pleasure
working with him. He had faith in me and in the process and all the
other players---none of whom he had previously known—really enjoyed
him.”
Linden has played
on over 500 albums, and produced 170 albums, including winning a Grammy
in 2020 for producing Keb’ Mo’s 5th Grammy Best Americana Album for
“Oklahoma” at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
He
has accompanied Bob Dylan, Greg Allman, Lucinda Williams, Reba
McEntire, Rihannon Giddens, Pistol Annies, Allen Toussaint, and John
Prine, and overseeing production for T-Bone Burnett, Colin James, Ray Bonneville, Sue Foley and so many others.
He also fronts Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.
Asked
the significance of dual French/English album title, JP says,” ‘All In
My Blood’ translates to ‘Je l’ai dans le sang’ in French. I felt it was
important to acknowledge where I come from in the album’s title. It’s a
way of connecting directly to my roots and showing pride in my
heritage.”
“All
of these songs inform each other,” sums up Linden.” JP’s French singing
tells you so much about his English singing. His sense of blues is
heavily informed by the French Acadian music of both Canada and
Louisiana. It’s a unique combination.”
Asked what JP’s strength as a guitarist is, Linden answers without hesitation, “JP knows how to go for the sweet notes.”
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